Dental art

For centuries, the activities of dentists and the symptoms of tooth disease have been used as themes in works of art, drawings, cartoons, paintings, sculpture and woodcarvings. These images are a valuable source of information about providers of dental care and different treatments for toothache.

Shell sculpture

A unique Victorian era sculpture of a scene at the dentist's made from crab shells.

Cartoon art

Dentistry has long been a subject for humour in cartoon-art. The golden age of political and social caricature and satire was between 1780 and 1830 when three artists were active Thomas Rowlandson, James Gillray and George Cruikshank. Each tackled the topical subject of dentists during their careers.

	A French dentist showing his artificial teeth and false palates, 1811 Thomas Rowlandson (1756-1827)
	Transplanting of teeth, 1787 Thomas Rowlandson (1756-1827)
	Tugging at a (high) eye tooth, 1821 George Cruikshank (1792–1878)

English engravings

These English engravings, dating from the beginning of the 19th century, show three options available when a tooth extraction was required.

	Hob and stage doctor, 1812–1817 William Davison (publisher)
	The country tooth drawer, 1812–1817 William Davison (publisher)
	The town tooth drawer, 1812–1817 William Davison (publisher)

Paintings

	Der zahmbreder In the style of Adrian van Ostade (1610-1685) A barber-surgeon at work in the 17th century in the Netherlands.
	The Dentist Sir John Lavery (1856-1941)

Der zahmbreder
In the style of Adrian van Ostade (1610-1685)

A barber-surgeon at work in the 17th century in the Netherlands.

The Dentist
Sir John Lavery (1856-1941)